Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is pete and i badly want to get in the Navy. see the world.experience the world. change the world. making a difference everyday is my motto. i have been dealing with a recruiter and we took all my records to MEPS but disqualified due to my VSD. i was born with hole heart. had surgery to fix it. i did all contact sports-football, baseball, wrestling and karate. all with no problems and i didnt take any medication. i am appealing and going next week to see a heart dr to verify i'm in good health and cholesterol and BP and sugar are all good. will this help me get the waiver so i can impact the world as a career? thanks! pete

ANSWER: Dear Pete --

All you can do is request the medical waiver as you are doing.  Any documentation you have will help your case, but in the end military medical doctors will have to decide whether your condition would be too risky for you or other Sailors in service.  The Navy cannot afford to have you unexpectedly ill and put a mission or other Sailors in danger.  Also, if the stress of military service would worsen your condition, they will not grant your waiver, as that would be unfair to you and your family to injure your health further.

I hope you get an opportunity to serve in the military.  But, if you do not get your waiver, please write back so we can discuss Department of Defense civilian service opportunities, that might suit your needs despite your heart repairs.  

Good luck to you.  



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I will indeed keep you inform! thank you so much. i have the heart,dedication,desire and commitment to make an impact on this country and around the globe. I am praying so much for this! thanks have a great 4th!

pete

ANSWER: Dear Pete --

Happy 4th of July to you too.  Keep up the spirit!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i go for my heart exam on thursday and will send over report to recruiter to fax to navy. if i do get in, with my bachelors degree, shouldn't i get in at OCS and not Enlist? thanks so much! i hope to join the navy or be a part of the defense as a civilian. anything to help make a difference and change the world.

Answer
Dear Pete -

OCS is not a given just because you have a bachelors degree.  You must also meet the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score requirements and the fitness requirements.

You can request an OCS billet in your enlistment contract, but if the contract you signed at MEPS does not have that clause in it already, you have agreed to enlist without an OCS billet guarantee.

If you have not already signed your enlistment contract, you can renegotiate your contract.  The OCS billet guarantee states that if you do well enough in basic training, you will immediately attend OCS.  However, if you are a high enough quality candidate, you may be eligible to attend a direct officer training program that includes basic training.  All the other trainees in that program would also be officer candidates with college degrees.  If you are interested in this option, you must speak with your recruiter about it.

Good luck to you.